The dynamic duo at Fortfield that are currently Josh Bess and Liam Lewis put on a double hundred for the first Sidmouth wicket for the second week running in a Francis Clark Devo0n League top flight game.
Just seven days after taking Cornwood to the cleaners the pair brushed the Torquay bowling attack to one side adding 222 for the first wicket in 40 overs. Bess fell first for a 128-ball knock of 111. He was at the crease for two-and-a-half hours, stroking 18 four’s and slamming one six.
Lewis was out for exactly 100, this, his third century in eight days as he also bagged a Devon county ton the Sunday before! Lewis faced 124 deliveries, hit seven fours and three 6s in a 164-minute stay at the wicket.
Pete Randerson had waited patiently with his pads on in the number three slot and he wasted no time in making the Torquay bowlers pay for his long wait as he smashed 27 from just 13 balls putting on 40 in 23 deliveries with Lewis!
The home team declared on 268-3 after 44.3 overs.
After tea Josh Bess and Scott Barlow opened the home bowling and Bess made the early breakthrough, sending back the visiting skipper for two in the seventh over with the reply on 27. The next pair of Torquay batters made some progress until Scott Barlow held a catch off Charlie Miles with the total on 85 in the 21st over.
Eleven overs later half the home side were back in the pavilion with 125 on the score board. A 48-run seventh wicket stand held up the inevitable before Bess ended that partnership and the end followed soon after as the eighth, ninth and tenth wickets all fell with the total of 201.
The 22-point success keeps Sidmouth top of the fledgling top flight table. They hold a seven point lead over second placed Plymouth with Exmouth, thirteen points behind in third and Heathcoat fourth.
P W L T C Pts
Sidmouth 3 3 0 0 0 58
Plymouth 3 3 0 0 0 51
Exmouth 3 2 1 0 0 45
Heathcoat 3 2 1 0 0 39
Exeter 3 1 2 0 0 31
North Devon 3 1 1 0 1 31
Bovey Tracey 3 1 2 0 0 30
Cornwood 3 1 2 0 0 29
Sandford 3 0 3 0 0 16
Torquay 3 0 2 0 1 16
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